Pages

Monday, September 26, 2011

I've been playing around with my 'new' camera (Garrett upgraded and I bought his old one). I dropped my point and shoot camera and sorta broke it so I have to learn how to use the more complicated camera. Garrett shows me how to do some simple adjustments and I can do them for 5 minutes, but then I forget. So I just fiddle and fudge and hopefully the camera will do its thing and I'll get a passable photo.

Our mantle in Cumberland has a weird combination of an antique level, a soda bottle that sports the words "Garrett's Club", the mechanism for a parking meter, an antique Oxo tin, a wire gazelle from the Natural History museum gift shop and a striped vase.

I found this vintage 'New World Atlas' at a yard sale. It's huge, about 30" x 16" and has countries that no longer exist. A wooden machine part (that looks like a top) and an old tin airplane in a frame sit on top of the book.

I like old metal stuff and whooped it up when I found this trash bin that was used in an mechanic's shop for greasy rags. I use it for a side table.

And I love the 1950's toy tractor. Sometimes I put almonds in the scoop.

I've done a few mosaic mirrors. I especially like this one with the black grout.

The scrabble letters spell out "You don't even know me."

I bought this metal piece in Frederick at the Muse (LOVE!). The artists repurpose old tractors and farm machinery into frames, boards and tables.

I have a thing for old typewriters too. I found this one at our local dump.

I can't imagine someone throwing this away. I do love the old type keys (shift, tabular).

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Whoa! I've been bad about blogging lately. I hurt my knee and it set me back a bit and now my mom is here so we're out having some fun. But it's time to get to work dyeing, skeining, knitting, ordering, creating. I had a show last weekend and I have four shows the next four weekends so better get my butt into high gear!
There's a chill in the air and the smell of autumn all around. Good bye to the hot summer, the earthquake, Hurricane Irene and Lee and the 15" of rain we had in the last couple weeks. I think that 98% of people claim fall as their favorite season. Spring is by far my favorite (new blossoms, reawakening, being outdoors, gardening) but fall is my second fave. I'm so glad I live in an area that has four distinct seasons.

The sheep like fall too. Cooler weather makes their wool grow faster and don't lay around so much in the shade. I find them out in the back field more grazing.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Upon returning from our out west trip and after traveling over 1500 miles, and being home two days, then going to Cumberland for a few days, we thought we should hop in the car again and drive to Connecticut to visit friends, go to a family reunion and get stuck in horrific traffic. Our UK friend, Clemens, was staying at our other friends, (Marshall and Leslie) at their home in CT and we wanted to see all of them.

We always enjoy visiting Marshall and Leslie. They live in an extraordinary home in the woods, all angles, sharp corners and very mod.

It's like a big tree house, with rooms jutting out hither and tither.

This is the view when exiting the downstairs powder room. Don't walk straight through the window!

Leslie and Marshall have welcomed a little granddaughter, Harper, into their lives in the last year. She is so adorable and will just go to anyone and will sit quietly and play with toys with no fussing. My kinda girl!

I love, love, love their living room as it feels as if you are outdoors, when you are really inside. The two large windows which are wall sized, bring the outdoors in.

The swimming pool has a new railing around it. Before it just dropped about 10' down to the backyard below!

The sitting room brings in lots of light from the skylight overhead. A nice place to curl up and read.

I've always liked this child's vintage saddle. L & M have a small (4000 acres!) ranch in Montana and their house is decorated in Western gear with a Southwest flavor.

We took a stroll downtown, where a typical New England village square sits in the center of the small town. Surrounded by perfectly kept houses, galleries, boutiques and stores, it offers a tranquil time window shopping or even buying a piece of jewelry or skirt.

Merchants make their entries cute and inviting.

Guillford is located right on the ocean, with boats bringing in catches of the day for our eating enjoyment.

I was enthralled by 5 jets poofing out puffs of smoke to form letters spelling out "I heart Summer Fun at Mohegan Sun", except I was less enchanted when I found out it was a local casino.

We drove an hour to meet with Houston's cousins and their extended family for an afternoon of chatting, meeting new babies, catching up and enjoying a perfect summer afternoon.

We were invited to a party hosted by friends of Marshall's so we went right from the afternoon party to the evening party, where we didn't know anyone with the exception of Marshall and Clemens. Our hosts, Shaleen and Bob were very welcoming and we got to meet some interesting folks. Bob and Marshall met years ago while filling up their vintage motorcycles at a gas station and got to talking about biking. Last year Marshall, Bob and Lucas spent a few weeks Down Under traveling through the outback on their bikes.

Both Bob and Marshall have an extensive collection of motorcycles, vintage, new, race, dirt, all high powered boy toys.

Lucas brought out his Bultaco, a Spanish bike that he has cherished for many years.

He started it up (after a number of tries, because I think it was just happy resting in the garage) and took off into the dark night for a little joy ride. Luckily he and Bultaco made it back safely.

Bultaco looks like a superheros' bike, ready to avenge evildoers and make the planet safe for mankind.

Moto Guzzi, an Italian bike.

Along with a collection of motocycles, Bob collects guitars and amplifiers. I've never seen so many in one place.

After much drinking, dancing, meeting new people, and basically burning the candle at both ends, we called it a night.

But on the way home the next day.... because we are creatures of habit and because who can turn down a good ol' Pennsylvania Dutch meal, we stopped at Haags House for lunch. Family style = yummy style!

Baked chicken with 3 sides, pie and coffee included. A good end to a great weekends.

About me

Hey It's Dalis is about my life on Dancing Leaf Farm, from raising sheep and chickens, creating my line of artisan dyed yarns and fiber, writing knitting patterns, to making nuno felt shawls, and designing jewelry.

Along with the yarn business, I have another side business with my friend, Krista, called Chirp. We find and refresh, repaint, reupholster vintage furniture and sell at a local shop (The Blue Hearth) and on etsy and craigslist.